Bluetooth mesh for identifying and reporting the location of an event

ABSTRACT

Certain embodiments of the disclosure can include methods, devices, and systems for locating an electronic signal sent in a large, enclosed space, including hotels and offices. The embodiments can include initiating a signal from a location within the large, enclosed structure triggered by, for example, atmospheric conditions or user input, among other triggering mechanisms. The signal can then be transmitted via low-energy, low-cost network devices placed efficiently throughout the building. Devices within the network read the message signal and efficiently continue its transmission through the network. When received by a display device, the message can be identified by its originating location and mapped against a layout of the building.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/815,136 filed on 7 Mar. 2019, the disclosure of whichis incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to electronic location tracking andcommunication.

BACKGROUND

Presently, large enclosed structures pose many problems tocommunications within the structures. Transmitting a signal throughout alarge, enclosed structure, and identifying the origin of that signalpose unique challenges as compared to an outdoor environment wherevarious telecommunication methods (e.g. GPS, cellular communications,etc.) are available. Cellular communications are spotty at best andoften nonexistent the deeper into the building a communications deviceis located. In some structures, such as hospitals, cellularcommunications are prohibited in certain parts of the hospital becauseof the interference that cellular devices can cause with some healthcaremachine operation. Further, a cellular phone by itself is not easilyaccessible in a moment of emergency, and therefore an additionalwearable panic button device is often required.

Wi-Fi networks have been tried to attempt to bridge these communicationdark spots, but Wi-Fi technology has some problems of its own. Forexample, Wi-Fi devices are generally power-intensive and expensive toimplement in very large structures. Most Wi-Fi devices receive energyfrom wall power outlets so that a power outage in a building would ceasethe Wi-Fi device operation. Some conventional systems require theirdevices to include a BLUETOOTH network adapter as well as a Wi-Fi orcellular adapter for communications. This significantly increases thecost and energy requirements for the device. Finally, in currentconventional systems, if there is a single point of failure—because of adead spot, internet outage, or power outage, for example—that part ofthe network will fail, and will possibly take down the entire system. Inthese types of systems, there is no way to know which link has beenbroken without checking each one individually. A solution is needed thatcan span wide distances with many walls, floors, ceilings, and otherobstacles, and which can operate with low-cost devices that can utilizeindependent power sources when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed bycertain embodiments of the disclosure. Certain embodiments can includemethods, devices, and systems for location identification and trackingwithin a large, enclosed building. According to one embodiment of thedisclosure, there is disclosed a method. The method can includedetecting a condition at a location. The method can then evaluate thatcondition based on, for example, severity. The method can transmit anelectronic signal from a first network adapter based on the evaluation.The method can also include receiving that signal from a second networkadapter. And the method can include identifying the location of theorigin of the signal, and the location of the condition.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed adevice. The device can include at least one sensor to detect a conditionat a location within an enclosed building. The device can include atleast one microprocessor to perform computer operations required ordesired by the device and to carry out computer-readable instructionsstored on at least one computer memory of the device. The computerinstructions can include operability to evaluate the condition orconditions detected by the one or more sensors. The instructions can befurther operable to transmit an electronic signal based on theevaluation. The computer-readable instructions can also be operable toreceive the signal at a different endpoint of the device, and thenforward the signal on, and can identify the location of the originatingcondition.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed asystem. The system can include a plurality of devices networked togetherto communicate within an enclosed building. The system can also includeat least one device capable of network communication outside theenclosed building. And the system can include a display screen orcontrol center where the originating location of a signal, such as anemergency signal, can be displayed against a floor plan of the enclosedbuilding, for example.

Other embodiments, devices, systems, methods, aspects, and features ofthe disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. The use of samereference numbers in different figures indicate similar or identicalterms.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an example method of signal transmission andlocation identification within an enclosed building, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram representing a location trackingdevice, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readilyput into practical effect, there shall now be described by way ofnon-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention,the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrativefigures.

Certain embodiments herein relate to location identification andtracking within a large, enclosed building. Accordingly, a method can beprovided to identify and track an electronic signal within an enclosedbuilding. For example, FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process 100for location identification, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The process 100 can begin at block 110. At block 110,process 100 can detect a condition at a location within a large,enclosed building. The building can be of any size, and among thelargest buildings. For example, the building can be a large warehouse,office building, hospital, hotel, and government building. Some of thesebuildings often include objects and structures which can serve asobstacles for computer network communication. Process 100 can serve tomitigate or avoid these obstacles to ensure network communication withminimal or no “dead spots.”

The type of condition detected can include an environmental condition, apressure exerted by a person, or the passage of a time period. In someembodiments, the detection can be triggered by a person pressing abutton on a mobile or wearable device. The sensor can detect thepressure exerted by the person and emit an alert signal. In someembodiments, the signal can include information about the device, thewearer, and the location. In other embodiments, the signal might notinclude any identifying information, and the device emitting the signalmay focus its efforts on emitting as strong a signal as possible so thatthe emission can be detected as broadly as possible.

At block 120, process 100 can evaluate the condition that was detected.If the condition is pressure exerted by a person, then process 100 candetermine if the pressure was exerted intentionally or accidentally. Forexample, if the pressure is detected to be exerted for a second or less,process 100 can determine this is an accidental pressure and that,therefore, no alert signal needs to be sent. In some embodiments,process 100 can respond to an accidental pressure with haptic feedback,such as vibration, light, or sound, to convey a message to the person,such as that the device is in proper working order. In otherembodiments, process 100 can evaluate that the pressure exerted requiresthat an alert signal be sent, for example if the pressure exerted isdetected to be for a longer duration, such as 3 to 4 seconds or more. Insome embodiments, process 100 can additionally or alternatively includeother sensors, such as environmental sensors. These environmentalsensors can include sensitivity for the detection of excessive sound,such as to detect an explosion or gunshot; temperature, such as todetect fire or deviation from acceptable and comfortable conditions;humidity, such as to detect a water leak. Process 100 can evaluate acurrent reading of an environmental condition for appropriateness andmake a determination whether an alert signal will be sent. Whendetecting the passage of a time period, process 100 can evaluate howmuch time has passed since a previous transmission and, if appropriate,transmit another signal based on this period regularity.

At block 130, process 100 can transmit the signal to the network,including the location of the alert and the identity of the wearer, ifany. Network nodes can also regularly report non-emergency messages suchas their individual status including battery level, primary mesh networkconnection partner, and mesh cluster size. These types of informationcan be reported hourly if desired. Other types of information can bereported less often if desired, such as nearby nodes and informationabout all mesh connection partners. In some embodiments, thistransmission can include a network adapter. Any network adapter fit forthe purpose can be used, such as BLUETOOTH, Wi-Fi, and cellulartechnologies, and the like. In some embodiments, low-energy networkdevices are desirable to promote longer lasting components and deviceswithin process 100. For example, BLUETOOTH low energy (BLE) technologycan be utilized by process 100 to promote low cost components and lowpower usage of a system running process 100. In some embodiments, theinitial signal emitted, by a triggering condition for example, might notinclude a network adapter. In these embodiments, a network device withinrange of the originating signal can be used to communicate an alert onthe network. The alert device can transmit the originating signal to anydevice in range, and any receiving device can then retransmit thesignal, along with additional information about the location forexample, to other devices, so that the signal travels through thenetwork. In some embodiments, each device can broadcast a signal so thatall other devices can receive, process, and retransmit the signal asnecessary. In other embodiments, in addition to broadcasting, the signalcan be unicast or multicast, that is, sent only to specific devices ofthe network, rather than to all devices within communicative reach.

At block 140, process 100 can receive a signal sent based on aninitiating condition. As is also true at block 130, the networkcommunication received at block 140 can be of varying and multipletechnologies and protocols.

At block 150, process 100 can identify the originating location of thecondition. The signal received at block 140 can include messageinformation about the condition, originating device, and location, amongother things. In some embodiments, the signal might not include anyidentifying information, and the receiving step can rely on the strengthand direction of the signal for identification.

In addition or in substitution to these named steps, process 100 canalso include other steps. For example, process 100 can includedeactivating an alert after the alert has been reviewed and resolved atan endpoint. The deactivation can be manual and it can be algorithmicbased, for example, on an evaluation of the condition(s) that triggeredthe alert.

The operations described and shown in process 100 of FIG. 1 can becarried out or performed in any suitable order as desired in variousembodiments of the disclosure, and process 100 can repeat any number oftimes. Additionally, in certain embodiments, at least a portion of theoperations can be carried out in parallel. Furthermore, in certainembodiments, fewer or more operations than described in FIG. 1 can beperformed.

Process 100 can optionally end after block 150.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided adevice. For example, device 200 can be provided for locationidentification and tracking. Device 200 can include computer andelectronic hardware and software necessary or desirable for diverse andad hoc network communication. FIG. 2 depicts an example schematicdiagram representing one embodiment for location identification andtracking. Device 200 can include an originating component 205 such as anemergency button, sensor, or wearable panic button. Component 205 caninclude its own power storage such as a rechargeable or replaceablebattery, and can include a standard method of attachment such as a claspor magnet. Component 205 can include at least one sensor capable ofdetecting one or more triggering conditions, at least some of which canbe mobile sensors. In some embodiments, component 205 can include asensor operable to detect a pressure exerted by a person in contact withthe sensor. For example, component 205 can detect a person pressing abutton of component 205. In some embodiments, component 205 can detectone or more environmental conditions in proximity of its one or moresensors. For example, at least one sensor of component 205 can detectthe humidity and/or ambient temperature around a sensor. Component 205can also include a sensor to detect the noise level nearby. Component205 can include a sensor to detect the passage of a time period, and totrigger every time that period expires.

Device 200 can include at least one network node 210 to communicate thecondition internally along the network. Device 200 can include manynodes 210, and the nodes 210 can be of uniform or varying networktechnologies and protocols. As depicted in FIG. 2, for example, alertdevice 205 and all nodes 210 (210-a, 210-b, 210-c, 210-d) can useBLUETOOTH technology, such as BLE. In some embodiments, device 205 canbe BLE, some nodes 210 can be BLE, and other nodes 210 can use Wi-Fi.The network can be a mesh network, and can include ad hoc components andconnections. Some nodes 210 can use wireless local area networking(WLAN) while other nodes, and other network components, can utilizewired components or other technologies. Nodes 210 can includeindependent power sources and can also share a power source with anothernode 210 or other device.

Device 200 can also include a gateway 215 to communicate outside theenclosed building network. In some embodiments, device 200 can includemultiple gateways 215 and multiple access points. These additionalcomponents can be redundant for failover purposes, and the workload canbe distributed among them. Gateway 215 can include multiple networkadapters such as BLE to communicate with the internal network and Wi-Fi,cellular, or ethernet to communicate outside the enclosed building. Inthis way, low-cost and low-energy network components can compose theinternal building network with only minimal higher-cost andhigher-energy components utilized for external communication. Gateway215 can then use one or more of its network adapters to communicate thealert initiated by component 205 to a third party such as a server 220.The third party 220 can then display the alert and the map of thelocation, such as via a floor plan, on a computer monitor to be attendedby a user, such as a human user monitoring emergencies. In someembodiments, server 220 can be an emergency contact designated for thealert.

Device 200 can handle multiple and many alert signals. In embodimentsthat include a display of the alert and the floor plan of the building,device 200 can also include updated positioning of the alert, if thealert has indeed changed locations. In some situations, if component 205is being worn or handled by a person, that person may change locationswithin the building, and this updated location information is criticalin resolving the alert. For example, if the person is in trouble, theupdated location is necessary to direct emergency personnel to thealert. In other situations, such as when component 205 is attached to anobject being sought for inventory, the updated location is necessary forfinding the object in the unexpected location.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided asystem. For example, a system can be provided for detecting a conditionin a large, enclosed building, communicating that condition within thedifficult network environment of building with its walls, ceilings,floors, and many other obstructions, and then communicating thecondition outside the building's confines for attention. The system caninclude an alert device that can be mobile and, in some embodiments,wearable. The alert device can be worn on a lapel, sleeve, pocket, oranywhere else it would be convenient and easy to trigger manually, evenin an extreme emergency. When activated, an alert device can vibrateand/or illuminate its lights such as LEDs.

The system can include a plurality of network devices, or smart beacons,to transmit a signal sent from an originating device. It is not unusualfor the system to include hundreds or thousands of internal networknodes. The originating signal can be an emergency signal sent by aperson or otherwise triggered by a condition, such as an environmentalcondition within the building or a certain passage of time for thatdevice. In large buildings, and in buildings with many obstacles, suchas hospitals and hotels, the system can include a multitude of networkdevices such that the strength of the signal will be certain to travelto its necessary endpoint. Smart beacons can be mounted withintwenty-five feet (25 ft.) of another smart beacon or gateway. Tomitigate the need for frequent changing or charging of the batteries forthe many network devices, the system can include low-energy technologycomponents, such as BLE communication. And to mitigate the cost of usinga large number of network devices in large, complex environments, thesystem can include low-cost network components. The system's usage oflow-cost components can also increase some redundancy in the networkconnectivity by including slightly more network components thanabsolutely required. In this way, the failure of a single networkcomponent would not mean the failure of the system as a whole, and thisis a different outcome than if the network were sparsely populated withmore expensive and fewer network components, which are still subject toa similar failure rate despite the increased cost.

The system can also include at least one external network device capableof communicating, not only with the network nodes internal to thebuilding, but also capable of communicating with an outside computernetwork, such as the internet. In some embodiments, internal nodes suchas smart beacons can send the signal to a gateway, and the gateway cansend the signal via an access point to an endpoint location. An accesspoint can also include a failover network adapter, such as an LTE, orcellular, connection. In the embodiment where the internal nodes useBLE, the external node can include both BLE and at least one othernetwork adapter, such as Ethernet or cellular. And whereas the internalnetwork nodes can be located virtually anywhere within a building, evena rigidly designed building, the at least one external network devicemust be in a location where communicative access to an external networkis possible. At the same time, the external network device must still bein communicative reach with at least one of the internal network nodes.The external network device can then transmit the event, such as theemergency or alert, to a third party, such as an emergency contact orcomputer display. In some embodiments, the signal will be transmitted toa central processing storage area of the system, or other appropriatestorage for usage with a particular system. In some embodiments, theprocessing and storage of system-specific information can be in eitheror both of a cloud-computing location or on-site.

The system can include an endpoint, such as an alert console or computerscreen, to display the location of the electronic signal sent by thealert device. In some embodiments, the alert console can include atablet computer used on-site for displaying and managing the system.This can be displayed based on a floor plan, for example, and the systemcan display any other information contained in the signal in addition tothe location of the originating alert. In some embodiments, the natureof the alert can also be contained in the message, such as the humidity,temperature, noise, and time sensor readings. In some embodiments, thealert device can be worn by a hotel employee, or in fact many hotelemployees, and the system can track the wearers while they are on thework premises. The display screen can then show which employees arenearest to one location or another, in case that location is in need ofattention. In some embodiments, the alert device can be worn by hospitalstaff, doctors, and nurses and the multitude of emergency signals andconditions that regularly occur in a hospital can all be displayed andtracked by the system. In some embodiments, the transmission ofadditional signals can be evaluated substantially synchronously with thereceipt of the signals, such that the information displayed issubstantially live tracking. In some embodiments, when an alert istriggered, the alert devices as well as other components can be operableto record sound and video. This sound and video can also be transmittedalong the network to the endpoint, and can be stored at the device forlater retrieval.

The system can include multiple and redundant sources of power. In someembodiments, the alert devices and the plurality of network nodes can bepartially or completely reliant on battery power, and the batteries canbe rechargeable or replaceable. The system can also include a chargingstation and instructions to have the alert devices returned after eachstaff shift, and charge the devices until pickup for the next shift. Insome embodiments, the network nodes can rely on a wired energy source.Similarly, the external network devices can be primarily powered bywired energy, but revert to batteries or uninterruptible power sourcesif there is a power outage. In this way, the system's reliability anduptime are increased.

In some embodiments, the system can include a map importation module inorder to utilize a building's floor plan into the electronic system. Forexample, if the building's floor plan exists only on a sheet of paper,the system's importation module can convert that image, such as throughelectronic scanning, and then recognize the components of theelectronically scanned into usable information which the system can useto disseminate locations. Additionally, the map importation module canalso convert other formats of floor plans, such as spreadsheets, intoinformation that can be used by the system's identification and displayalgorithms. In some embodiments, the layout of the networked nodes canbe based on this imported floor plan, including with the aid of opticalcharacter recognition, a camera, and/or room number. Using this floorplan information, network nodes can then be associated in a databasewith a location in the building. In some embodiments, network nodes canbe assigned unique identifiers, placed into rooms as needed, and thenmapped and recognized by the system when it initializes.

As desired, embodiments of the disclosure may include devices andsystems with more or fewer components than are illustrated in thedrawings. For example, in some embodiments an alert device can send asignal directly to a gateway without first transmitting through thenetwork nodes. Additionally, certain components of the devices andsystems may be combined in various embodiments of the disclosure. Thedevices and systems described above are provided by way of example only.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computerhardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Featuresof the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as amachine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, forexecution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present methodsteps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a programof instructions to perform functions of the described implementations byoperating on input data and generating output.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit dataand/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. A computer program may include aset of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in acomputer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result.A computer program may be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions mayinclude, for example, both general and special purpose processors,and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind ofcomputer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or datafrom a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or both.Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions andone or more memories for storing instructions and/or data.

Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks.Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory,including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, orincorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integratedcircuits).

The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computersystem that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, and/orthat includes a middleware component, such as an application server oran Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such asa client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or anInternet browser, or any combination of these. The components of thesystem may be connected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, such as a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networksforming the Internet.

The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and servermay be remote from each other and interact through a network, such asthose described herein. The relationship of client and server may ariseby virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, the steps in the processes described herein need not beperformed in the same order as they have been presented, and may beperformed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented asbeing performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performedconcurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as beingperformed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performedseparately.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for communicating an event in anenclosed building, the method comprising: detecting, via at least onemobile sensor at a mobile device, a condition; evaluating, via at leastone microprocessor at the mobile device, the condition; transmitting,from a first BLUETOOTH network adapter at the mobile device, a firstsignal [[based on]] in response to the evaluation to a second low-energyBLUETOOTH network adapter at a first stationary device associated with aknown location; transmitting, from the first stationary device to agateway device via a low-energy BLUETOOTH mesh network, a second signalin response to the first signal, the second signal comprisinginformation associated with the first stationary device; transmitting,from the gateway device to a server, a third signal in response to thesecond signal and comprising information associated with the firststationary device; and identifying, via a second microprocessor, thelocation of the condition based on the information associated with thefirst stationary device transmitted in the third signal and generatingan alert signal in response thereto.
 2. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the detecting comprises detecting a pressure exerted by aperson on at least a portion of the mobile device.
 3. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the detecting comprises sensing one ofhumidity, temperature, sound, and an expiration of a time period.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 1, further comprising transmitting theidentification of the location to a third party.
 5. The method asrecited in claim 1, further comprising tracking, via the secondmicroprocessor, an updated location of the event based on an additionalsignal from the mobile device.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1,further comprising displaying, via at least one display adapter, thelocation based on a floor plan.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the first signal, second signal, and third signal furthercomprise information regarding one or more of the mobile sensor and themobile device.
 8. A system for communicating an event in an enclosedbuilding, the system comprising: at least one mobile sensor to detect acondition within the enclosed building and transmit a first BLUETOOTHsignal based on the condition; a first stationary alert deviceassociated with a known location within the enclosed building, the firstalert device comprising a low-energy BLUETOOTH enabled adaptor thatreceives the first BLUETOOTH signal and transmits a second BLUETOOTHsignal to a mesh network of devices in response to the first BLUETOOTHsignal, the second BLUETOOTH signal comprising information associatedwith the first stationary alert device; at least one network node thatis part of the mesh network, the network node comprising a low-energyBLUETOOTH enabled adaptor that receives the second BLUETOOTH signal andtransmits a third signal comprising information associated with thefirst stationary alert device; a network gateway receiving the thirdsignal and transmitting a fourth signal to a processor, the fourthsignal comprising information associated with the first stationary alertdevice; and the processor using the information associated with thefirst alert device to identify the location of the condition within theenclosed building, then generating an alert in response thereto.
 9. Thesystem as recited in claim 8, wherein the condition is a pressureexerted by a person on at least a portion of the mobile device.
 10. Thesystem as recited in claim 8, wherein the condition is one of humidity,temperature, sound, and an expiration of a time period.
 11. The systemas recited in claim 8, further comprising an endpoint device to receivethe alert.
 12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the endpointdevice is further operable to track an updated location of the conditionbased on an additional signal.
 13. The system as recited in claim 8,further comprising a display of the location of the condition based on afloor plan.